August 1, 2011
August 1, 2011
Inside this issue:
1) Social Security Administration Child Disability Starter Kit
2) MSPTI Webinar Series Scheduled for August
3) Hattiesburg Inclusive Tennis Clinic – Aug. 13
4) Empowering Parents... Improving Outcomes - MSPTI Leadership Academy and Conference – Aug. 19-20
5) EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention): Partnering for Progress Conferences - Oct. 26-28
1) Social Security Administration Child Disability Starter Kit
The Child Disability Starter Kit from the Social Security Administration answers questions about applying for SSI disability benefits on behalf of a child. The kit includes a worksheet to help you track the information necessary for the application as it is gathered: http://www.ssa.gov/applyfordisability/child.htm .
2) MSPTI Webinar Series Scheduled for August
Medical home, postsecondary education and transition from youth to adulthood are the topics of three Mississippi Parent Training and Information Center (MSPTI) Webinars scheduled for August. Cookie Smith, LMSW, Project Manager for the Family 2 Family Health Information and Education Center (F2F), a project of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), will present Medical Home: What Families Should Know on Mon., Aug. 1, from 7-8 p.m. and again on Tues., Aug. 2, from 12 to 1 p.m. Dr. Mark Yeager, Disability Specialist at IDS, will discuss the Higher Education 4 All project focusing on college experiences and opportunities that benefit all individuals regardless of their disability on Mon., Aug. 8, from 7-8 p.m. and again on Tues., Aug. 9, from 12-1 p.m. Dr. Jerry Alliston, Coordinator of Community Inclusion and Volunteer Service, will lead the Webinar, Transition to Being a Healthy Adult, addressing the many questions that must be addressed during the transition of a youth with disabilities to adulthood. This Webinar will be held on Mon., Aug. 15, from 7-8 p.m. To register for the free Webinars, visit the MSPTI calendar at http://www.mspti.org/education.asp?month=8&year=2011 .
3) Hattiesburg Inclusive Tennis Clinic - Aug. 13
Plan now to bring a racquet and have some fun at the Inclusive Tennis Clinic on Sat., Aug. 13, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the Tatum Park Tennis Courts at 101 Parkway Drive in Hattiesburg. Athletes with disabilities ages 10 to adult, including those who use a wheelchair and those who do not, can expect a day of play and a light lunch. Registration is required so enough coaches will be available and enough lunches can be provided. To participate, call Cindy Singletary at LIFE at 228.388.2401 or e-mail her at csingletary.life@gmail.com or call Cookie Smith at IDS at 601.266.4093 or e-mail her at terri.smith@usm.edu. This event is sponsored by LIFE of Mississippi, the Special Family Kids Network at IDS, the City of Hattiesburg Department of Parks and Recreation, Metro Area Community Empowerment and the Mississippi Society for Disabilities.
4) Empowering Parents... Improving Outcomes - MSPTI Leadership Academy and Conference, Aug. 19-20
MSPTI will hold its Northeast Regional Parent Conference and Parent Leadership Academy for parents and families of children with disabilities on Aug. 19-20 in Tupelo. Separate application and registration is required. The Leadership Academy will be held Fri. and Sat., Aug. 19-20, at the Hancock Leadership Center at 1920 Briar Ridge Road. The Academy is open to parents and family members who have or have had children with disabilities in public schools. Participants will be selected on the basis of commitment and leadership potential. The Conference will be held Sat., Aug. 20, at The Summit Center at 852 North Gloster Street. The registration fee is $25; parent stipends are available. For more information or to register for both activities, visit www.mspti.org or call 1.800.721.7255.
5) EHDI (Early Hearing Detection and Intervention): Partnering for Progress Conferences - Oct. 26-28
Join experts from several specialties to discuss a variety of subjects pertaining to hearing and hearing loss in children at the Fifth Biennial Pediatric and Audiology Symposium, the Sixth Annual Investing in Family Support Conference and the Fourth Southeastern Regional EHDI Conference. Topics include medical considerations audiological assessment, advances in hearing technologies, family support, state and federal policies, EHDI program improvement, disabilities that occur with hearing loss, social media, advocacy, and more! Attendees from all three conferences will meet in five plenary sessions; breakouts will allow conference participants to choose specific topics of interest. All three meetings will take place in one venue offering a series of concurrent tracks and general sessions that focus on a broad range of EHDI topics. The conferences will begin on the evening of Wed., Oct. 26, and conclude on the afternoon of Fri., Oct. 28, at the Sheraton Hotel in downtown Raleigh, NC. http://conference.usu.edu/Partnering